Just in time to ring in the New Year, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have announced that they're having a baby together!
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Monday, December 31, 2012
Kim prepared to be Senate President
Donna Mercado Kim was picked Friday by her colleagues to become Senate President.
Senator Kim is no stranger to politics. She's been in the same halls for the last three decades. Now the seasoned lawmaker says she's ready to take on the challenge of Senate President.
"I will have to make personal adjustments, but I'm me. I'm not going to change my stripes. I mean I will continue to be the champion for accountability and transparency and efficiency in government. I've always done that," said Senator Kim.
Her no-nonsense demeanor made headlines during the state senate's wonder blunder hearings as she grilled University of Hawaii leaders.
Senator Kim said she has a passion for politics, and she's thorough.
"I'm a very hands on kind of person.? I'm very detail oriented.? I like to make sure that the 'i's' are dotted and the 't's' are crossed," said Senator Kim.
One of her primary duties as Senate President is making sure things get done and getting fellow lawmakers to compromise.
"I'm also a consensus builder. I'd like to make sure that you can't please everybody, but will try to get as many people together. But i'm a realist and common sense has to prevail," said Kim.
She still has the 14th District to represent, she plans to fight for them while balancing the interests of the senate as a whole.
Officially, senators must vote for her to fill the position once the legislature convenes in mid-January.
Click to read more.
Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/50319340/ns/local_news-honolulu_hi/
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Sunday, December 30, 2012
Top stories of 2012, No. 2 - Minor league baseball a long out
Baseball fans Jarrod Reynolds and Kyle Thompson hold signs in support of plans to build a minor league stadium in Wilmington before a City Council meeting Aug. 7, 2012.
Buy Photo StarNews file photo
Published: Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 5:27 p.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 5:27 p.m.
For much of the year, it seemed barely a week, and sometimes a day, went by with no mention of bringing a minor league baseball team to the Port City.
Nearly two months after Wilmington voters shot down a proposal to build a taxpayer-funded stadium, Mayor Bill Saffo said this is still a viable market for a ballpark.
But he doubts baseball will be discussed for the next decade. ?At least,? he added.
In November, 70 percent of city voters rejected the proposal to fund and build a $37 million stadium. The vote followed a lengthy discussion period between the Atlanta Braves, which would have brought a minor league team to the Port City, and Mandalay Baseball, which would have operated the stadium.
The campaign leading up to the vote was contentious and ?Vote No Stadium Tax? signs popped up across the city.
Saffo, who supported the stadium deal, said after the vote that the city would not pursue baseball. Weeks later, that hasn?t changed.
?I think the only option that?s out there that voters made very clear is that it would have to be a privately funded deal,? Saffo said.
Representatives from both Mandalay and the Braves said they had no plans to pursue a stadium after the failed referendum.
?There is no plan B as far as we?re concerned,? said Rich Neumann, Mandalay?s president of baseball development, just after the vote. ?We?ve done everything we could do to bring this opportunity to Wilmington and we feel it?s over, barring some complete, unforeseen set of circumstances,? he said.
But no private deal has yet to surface.
After the vote, Terry Spencer, chairman of the ?Vote Yes!? effort, said the group would support any future baseball opportunities that surfaced. But he wasn?t optimistic.
?If there were any investors, they would have come out of the woodwork by now,? he said.
Julian March: 343-2099
On Twitter: @julian_march
Source: http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20121229/articles/121229694
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Rockets' Royce White To Finally Begin Rookie Campaign in NBA D-League?
Though his rookie campaign has already been one filled with turbulent twists and turns, the Rockets' Royce White is finally ready to hit the hardwood. His road back will reportedly begin with a stint in the D-League as member of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
Despite being one of the top prospects in this past summer's NBA rookie draft, Royce White's stock dipped due to concern over his existing anxiety disorder. Would the talented forward be able to cope with the travel requirements and everyday grind of The Association?
With many teams unsure, the Rockets swooped in to snatch White up with the sixteenth overall selection in the draft. But although he has all the potential in the world, the forward has yet to hit the hardwood this season.
He and the Rockets have reportedly been at odds over the last couple of months with regard to dealing with his disorder. It's taken a while for the two sides to agree upon what the best plan of action will be to ensure a seamless transition into the NBA.
After working out at the team's training facility on his own over the last week or so, White finally appears ready to the hardwood, albeit it won't be an NBA one just yet. The forward is set to begin his journey in the D-League, and is scheduled to be in uniform for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers' contest later Sunday.
Such a step is a huge one in the right direction for White. After originally being assigned to the D-League last month (though he never went on to appear in a game), it's likely that his NBA journey would have begun in the minors either way.
In the early goings of the season, the Rockets have been among the most efficient and frequent utilizers of its NBADL affiliate. The likes of Scott Machado, Donatas Montiejunas, and Terrence Jones have all donned D-League uniforms thus far. All three have played well, and have subsequently been sent up and down between Houston and Rio Grande Valley, depending on the Rockets' game/practice schedule and such.
But their respective assignments have been anything but demotions. Earlier this month, Rockets' Vice President Gersson Rosas told RidiculousUpside.com in an exclusive interview that not only had the team already seen progress from the young guns, but that they also felt as though spending time in the minors was simply an essential and routine part of each rookie's development. Citing Houston's deep roster, the executive said because of their existing talent, that the Rockets have the flexibility to send each prospect down in order to give them closer attention (and more playing time, of course) in the D-League.
And now it's White's turn to put his immense amount of promise on display a bit. A self-proclaimed point-forward, the 6'8" rookie likes to get his teammates involved. There's no doubt he can score, but White's key contributions come when he isn't putting the ball in the basket. In addition to being a big man with steady court vision, the forward can also rebound the ball well and has sound fundamentals on the defensive end.
With the D-League dedicated to developing the ultimate complementary player(s) for NBA squads, White's skill set will be put to use on the perfect stage. After watching his fellow rookies previously thrive while donning Viper uniforms, he should look forward to the chance to finally strut his stuff.
The rookie's recent NBADL assignment is reportedly the first step in what will be a multi-week process in integrating him back as a regular member of the Houston Rockets. Whereas Machado is using his time in the minors to better understand how to run an offense, and both Montiejunas and Jones continue to adjust to the big league game from college/international ball, respectively, White may be closer than most think.
If he's able to find a rhythm and get his footing right, White's versatile talents may make it easier for him to fit right into Coach Kevin Mchale's system. The rookie just needs to begin his journey by simply showing the team his potential is not only still existent, but is also able to be translated to the NBA game.
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Video: Can I Afford It, Jr.? Matthew
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Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/cnbc/50314057/
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Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D: Newtown and the Nation's Mental Health
As President Obama opened his December 16 Newtown speech at the vigil for the Sandy Hook shooting victims with the statement, "We gather here in memory of 20 beautiful children and six remarkable adults. They lost their lives in a school that could have been any school, in a quiet town full of good and decent people that could be any town in America," I think the whole country was asking the same question: Why did this happen? There are many theories and opinions being expressed to address this question, all of which are just speculation until the results of the investigation become known. As a researcher, educator, and president of a nonprofit health-care organization I would like to add my thoughts to the mix.
There have been 29 mass shootings in the United States between the events of April 20, 1999 at Columbine High School and the Dec. 14, 2012 tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. I propose these shootings were, in part, a health-care issue.
Your immediate response may be to ask how these shootings could possibly be related to issues surrounding health care. Let me provide a few facts for consideration. The Nov. 16, 2011 issue of Time magazine included a report that 1 in 5 American adults take mental health drugs, which was a 22 percent rise since 2001. A Centers for Disease Control (CDC) study has indicated that the number of children diagnosed with different forms of attention/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) was 9.5 percent, or 5.4 million children 5-13 years of age. As of 2007, parents of more than 3 million children ages 4-17 years who had a diagnosis of ADHD reported that their child was receiving medication for the disorder. Children with these diagnoses were found in the same report to be more likely to have other chronic health conditions, both physical and mental. A recent report on the global burden of disease in the Dec. 15, 2012 issue of the internationally-recognized medical journal The Lancet indicated that mental health problems in people of all ages are one of three most rapidly increasing areas of health concern in the world.
I remember back in the early 1980s, a time when there was greater funding for community mental health centers, that the mental health professionals working in these facilities were very concerned that the number of people needing to be cared for was increasing, but the budgetary allotment for these centers was decreasing. Since the 1980s, there have been significant cuts in the funding for mental health intervention. Professionals working in the field of mental health have seen a decimation of community mental health services. A 2011 report from the National Alliance on Mental Illness titled "State Mental Health Cuts: A National Crisis" indicates that the nation is challenged with increasing needs for mental health treatment while at the same time the funding for community mental health treatment and consultation has been continually reduced.
It would be a reach to connect the Sandy Hook shootings directly to either a change in the prevalence of mental health issues in children or the reduction in funding for -- or emphasis on -- their comprehensive treatment, but shouldn't this potential connection at least be in the discussion about prevention? Certainly many variables relate to the enigma of how a person becomes a killer without human consciousness, but one of the recurrent themes that follows each shooting episode is the discussion about the mental health of the perpetrator. Could it be that these shooters represent a horrible kind of "yellow canary" of the declining mental health of our society at large? If so, then shouldn't we be engaged in a serious national dialogue about how to curb this national epidemic, just as we have done with the war on cancer, or the reduction of risk to heart disease through proper lifestyle, diet and exercise?
This is not just an academic issue. Mental health derives from physical health, and vice versa. Our bodies and minds are interconnected. We know that dementia is more common in people who suffer from obesity and diabetes. We know that depression is more prevalent in people with nutritional deficiencies such as vitamin B3, where one of the signs of deficiency of this vitamin is dementia. We know that behavior problems in children may be more common in children who consume large amounts of empty-calorie foods. Conversely, we know that children who engage in regular physical activity are more emotionally resilient and alert. As the health of our children has declined with increasing obesity and chronic illnesses, it is interesting that the prevalence of mental health issues in kids has increased. It is the same with their parents. There is a strong association between obesity, poor lifestyle habits, and mental and physical health issues in both adults and children. I recognize that association of two factors doesn't necessarily prove that one causes the other, but as the research accumulates there is a stronger case for a cause-and-effect relationship between health of the body and health of the mind.
Given this suggestion, it raises the question as to what the effects are of children sitting before a computer screen or television many hours a day being bombarded by messages of war, crime, violence, and killing. Not only are their minds being imprinted by the message, but their bodies are responding to the stress of the emotion, all while being sedentary and likely eating foods and drinking beverages that are rich in empty calories.
Like every other American who wears some of the grief of the Newtown shootings, I would like to find answers to the question "why?" and to accomplish what President Obama has challenged the country to do, which is to care for our children. As he said, "It is our first job. If we don't get this right, we don't get anything right. This is how our society will be judged."
Where can we turn as individuals to meet his challenge? It might start with a serious discussion at the national level as to what is happening to the health of our children, how their habits and lifestyles contribute to their declining health, and what needs to be done to create the country that turns around the trend of declining mental and physical health of its children. Through this difficult discussion, I believe some important answers will emerge that may not only help to prevent other Newtown catastrophes, but also prevent countless cases of unnecessary diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney and liver diseases and mental health disorders.
For more by Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D., click here.
For more healthy living health news, click here.
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Follow Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JeffreyBlandPhD
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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeffrey-bland/childrens-health_b_2360281.html
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Saturday, December 29, 2012
Stomach bug knocks Nadal from Australian Open
FILE - In this June 10, 2012, file photo, Spain's Rafael Nadal wipes his face as he plays Serbia's Novak Djokovic during their men's final match in the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Nadal will miss the Australian Open because of a stomach virus, further delaying his comeback after being sidelined since June.(AP Photo/David Vincent, File)
FILE - In this June 10, 2012, file photo, Spain's Rafael Nadal wipes his face as he plays Serbia's Novak Djokovic during their men's final match in the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Nadal will miss the Australian Open because of a stomach virus, further delaying his comeback after being sidelined since June.(AP Photo/David Vincent, File)
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) ? Just when Rafael Nadal had recovered from a knee injury, a stomach virus has delayed his return to tennis by a couple of months.
Nadal announced Friday he will miss next month's Australian Open and probably won't play again until the end of February. The Spaniard said he needs time to recover from the virus that already prevented him from coming back this week at Abu Dhabi.
Nadal has been sidelined since June with a knee injury, which forced him to miss the London Olympics and U.S. Open. He had planned to rejoin the ATP tour at the Qatar Open in Doha next month before the Jan. 14-27 Australian Open, but pulled out of both.
"We just hope he gets better quickly and we see him back on the tour as soon as possible," Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said. "Tennis fans across the world have been missing him."
While he is expected to recover from the virus in time for the year's first Grand Slam tournament, Nadal and his team said he wouldn't have the proper preparation for a five-set event.
Nadal stressed that his decision had nothing to do with the tendinitis in his left knee. That injury prompted him to take a break following a second-round loss to then 100th-ranked Lukas Rosol at Wimbledon in June.
"My knee is much better and the rehabilitation process has gone well as predicted by the doctors," Nadal said in a statement from his hometown of Manacor on the island of Mallorca. "But this virus didn't allow me to practice this past week and therefore I am sorry to announce that I will not play in Doha and the Australian Open."
The former No. 1 hopes to return at a tournament in Acapulco, Mexico, starting Feb. 27. He left open the possibility of playing at an earlier tournament if his recovery went well.
"As my team and doctors say, the safest thing to do is to do things well and this virus has delayed my plans of playing these weeks," Nadal said. "I always said that my return to competition will be when I am in the right conditions to play and after all this time away from the courts I'd rather not accelerate the comeback and prefer to do things well."
Nadal's doctor, Angel Ruiz-Cotorro, said in the same statement that the player needed at least a week to recover from the virus. That ruled him out for the Qatar Open, which starts Jan. 2.
Nadal's coach and uncle, Toni Nadal, said going straight to a five-set tournament after being sidelined so long was "not appropriate."
"It is simply not conceivable that his first event is a best-of-five sets event," he said in a statement. "He wouldn't be ready for that."
Nadal's knee injury prevented the 11-time Grand Slam winner from defending his Olympic singles gold medal at last summer's games, where he was supposed to be Spain's flag-bearer in the opening ceremony. He also had to pull out of the U.S. Open and Spain's Davis Cup final against the Czech Republic, which his teammates lost without him.
Nadal, ranked No. 4, won the Australian Open in 2009. Last year, he lost to top-ranked Novak Djokovic in a title match that lasted 5 hours, 53 minutes, the longest recorded Grand Slam final.
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